San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-02-17
JACKS MATCHMAKING.

TgII on Margaret's shoulder than wouId
have been the case had they been better
off, she kept the fact to herself, and no
one would have guessed that there was
any strain. Certainly Maude never saw
anything to shake her belief in the
ideality of an artists life; although per-
haps she realised how much Margaret's
unceasing and dainty management had
to do with the comfort of their daily
life, she did full justice to Jacks good
natured indifference to their scanty
means and his bright merry way OF
enjoying and making the most of
everything. So much was this the case
that Margaret became oppressed by
the secret fear that her visitor was un-
consciously growing far more attracted
by Jack and his pseudo Bohemianism
than was altogether good for herself or
in accordance with AUNT Eleanor's"
views.
The fact was that Maude, accus-
toned to the mercenary Difference OF
her interested suitors, and of the toad
les of whom her mothers dear friends"
chiefly consisted, found an ineXpreSsi-
BILE fascination in Jacks cool asSump-
ton of authority, and soon learned to
treat his wishes with the same unques-
tioning respect as Margaret did; in
fact, she was far more obedient, and
often amused Mrs. Melford by way
she had of treating any suggestion of
Jacks as an unqueStionable command.
One day Margaret appeared in the
studio where Jack was hard at work.
What is it, dearp" he asked, noticing
her troubled face.
I'm rather worried, Jack dear, that's
the truth. Do you knOw-dOn't laugh,
-. N,N 60
well, that Maude-whatp question
tones, vet watching her keenly all the
time with halfclosed eyes.
"Why, that Maude"-and Mrs. Mel
ford Observation-Disclosures is getting to
care more for you than is altogether
good for her."
The confession evidently cost the
poor woman dearly, and she looked
piteOusly at her husband as she made
it. 1t was not however received as
solemnly as it was made, for, after
looking at her for a moment, as if
thunderstruck, Jack burst into peal
of laughter.
my dear child, you are dementedI"
he gasped between the paroxysms.
what on earth put such a notion into
your silly little headp
Il expect I'd better tell you every
thing, Jack. You see, this morning,
when we were in the garden, we got to
talking of the future-mine and hers
and she burst out into a TRADE that
frightened me more effectually than
her old callOus condition ever did. You
know aunt Eleanor
yes, dear, l know aunt Eleanor
meant me to act as an artistic scare
49, tY,lr hn
disgraceful of me if / became, however
notion is too absurd, 'pOn my word it
island fresh burst of laughter in
terrupted Jacks protest.
A little treasured by her husbands
amusement at her terror, Mrs. Melford
allowed herself to be reasoned out of
most of it, and, much comforted, left
Jack to resume his work.
No sooner was she gone however
than Jacks manner changed. He still
looked amused; but he was worried
too, and smoked fast and furiously, as
he walked up and down the studio.
Bother the womenl" he muttered.
"a nice pickle that old woman has got
the lot OF us intol Poor little Madge!
Twas a shame to laugh at her in that
way; but what could l do? Maude,
poor girl, would break her heart If she
thought we had either of US guessed
her silly little secret; and, beside, the
idea of aunt Eleanor's rage if she knew
the truth is too absurd! That's what
comes of my setting up as a Mentor to
female youth and beauty with a taste
for theatricals and art. Oh, hang the
womenl No wonder those old fellows
painted the tempter as snake with a
woman's head. AS soon as a second
woman gets into the matrimonial
Eden, there's bound to be a rowl l
might have known what the young wo-
man was by that freak about her
name-Miss Thornleigh, indeedl
"Poor grill l suppose she fancies
every man, woman and child is after
those money-bags of hersl Well, its a
form of trial I'm not likely to suffer
and, so saying, Jack drew his wife into
his studio to judge Of his progress dur
ing tha morning.